The Porsche 984 was the “secret” that the seat and Porsche dreamed together in the 80s. A project that never happened until the time.
During Eighty yearsIn the context of industrial and commercial transition, seat and Porsche The most relevant cooperation The history of the European car. A story It is not over for the privilege holders But this of course, He left an indelible sign In Weissach Archives: Porsche 984 project.
Though Motor “System Porsche“A introducing the first seat of Ibiza Technological milestone between the two brandsThe bankruptcy, which really represents the real peak between both European companies, but the fascinating 984 (initially developed). We tell you.
80s: Porsche and Seat Alliled
In the eighties The seat was fully restructured. Even in the shadow of Fiat, but more and more independent, Spanish brand tried to become international And gaining legitimacy as an autonomous producer. Inside 1981– Juan José Díaz RuizThen the seat export director launched a strategy: Giugiaro designer And Porsche.
“From the German house, The engines of some seat models were created to install them in Spain“Explained Vicenç AguileraOld Seat Product Engineering Director. As a result of this cooperation, Ronda’s versions Málaga was born and finally IbizaAll equipped with legendary System Porsche technology engines.
But Relationship between Martorell and Stuttgart It was not limited to the motorization of his cars. Inside 1984– A much more ambitious project was proposed to Porsche: To develop a compact and affordable sports style with a large number of Spanish components as much as possible. The result is Porsche 984 This never happened.
Porsche 984: Sports, compact … and Spanish
. Seat’s first offer was clear: Traveller Biplaza– economicFor young drivers. PURPOSE A Dynamic transmission but also efficientIn terms of both consumption and production cost.
HE The motor planned for this alliance was 1.5 produced by PorscheEspecially with reference 970/11It should be integrated into a platform containing many parts from the Spanish company. The vehicle started to take shape quickly. Your key name, Porsche 984– He responded to the year of the project.
It was also known Porsche JuniorTo approach a younger audience. I had Monoclasco chassis made of steel and body panels made of Grp (Fiberglass reinforced plastic), which gives extraordinary lightness: Only 880 kg. Design Optimized in the wind tunnelLooking for larger aerodynamics.
For precise motorization Porsche One 2.0 -lter and four -Cyliner rear boxer blockcan offer Between 120 and 150 hp. . Last Versionconjunctive 135 hp, reached 220 km/h, This is a remarkable performance for a category and a vehicle with weight.
HE Internal Integrated Components Porsche 944 and 928 electronic controls The transmission came from 912 e. Even some elements of 984 were reused in other models: Address moved to 964 and Back Design Inspired 1990 944 Cabrio.
Moreover Other variants that never see the light were investigated: A convertible version Folding hard roof and Four -wheel drive model Competition -oriented. A true shame.
A dream that has never happened
But, The project was very expensive for the seat. . investment Estimated 120 million Marcos, some 61.3 million euros, For the Spanish company, which is mainly limited to the national market, is Spanish.
Moreover, Commercial applicability of the model was low And the seat was not interested in total drawing, an important component in the first design of the prototype. In the middle of 1985– The seat officially retired from the project To focus on the development of Ibiza Cabrio, American Sunroof Company.
But the truth is This new project failed. Although the Spanish manufacturer was abandoned, Porsche continued to develop solo until March 1988When he finally canceled the project. The reasons were mainly economical: A heavy dollar drop in 1987 And a general decrease in sales in the second half of the 1980s.
The “984” project left her legacy
Despite Porsche 984 never reached production– We have seen the effect on later models. According to various experts 984, BoxterHe would collect the witness as a convertible access to the Porsche series and combine some of his previously profileized young, light and sporty spirit.
What we know is if you entered production, Porsche 984 would mean a technological leap for the seat, as well as redefining its position as a European brand.
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